The white blanket that covered Red Grave was growing thicker. Winter seemed like it'd never let up as you got dressed for the weather. You agreed last night to go with Vergil today. Where, you had no clue. But after your previous realization, it didn't matter much. To be in the presence of the one you'd grown fond of was enough. Vergil was waiting for you by the door dressed in his usual attire by the time you were ready. The streets were empty, no footprints lining the sidewalk beside yours. The desolation was nice. You followed Vergil closely, getting the feeling that something important was about to happen. So you didn't dare speak. You could tell he needed the silence. His pace began to get slower as you came upon a part of the city that had not recovered from the Quipoths reign. The structure of an old building atop a hill came into view. Time had not treated it kindly. Vergil paused at what would've been the entryway before stepping in. Only the walls truly remained, a painting of a family still hung up, unprotected to the weather. You could tell who the man was. Sparda⊠You had heard of him during your studies, but your kind kept out of the ordeal that went down all those years ago. The woman in the painting was beautiful, but something about her made you sad. You could tell Vergil felt the same. This place held significance to him. You were grateful he brought you here. He hadn't moved since you entered and seemed submerged in his thoughts. His eyes were clouded. Carefully, you brushed your knuckles against his. The small touch was enough to pull him back to reality. "That's⊠My father." He finally broke the silence that had followed you here. You stood there stunned. Was the man beside you really a Son of Sparda? You had never realised it. Part of you was embarrassed, how foolish of you to not realize during your first encounter with him. No wonder he had defeated you. You slowly began putting the pieces together. This was a family painting⊠The fate you had heard about from your parents, the one they used to reaffirm their belief that humans and demons could never love one anotherâŠ. In the past you would've cold heartedly said they deserved their fate. But now you weren't so sure. "Vergil?" You questioned softly, seeing how down cast his eyes were. He didn't like looking at the painting, you could tell why. "My brother and I weren't always on good terms⊠I had something inside me that always hated him." He admitted. "Anger, sadness⊠fearâŠ" He seemed to linger on the last word. "But⊠We've reconciled. I'm grateful for the second chance I've been given." He was trying his best to convey his feelings, and even though he was struggling, you could tell what kind of hope he was trying to impress upon you. "That may be true in your case, but it's not the same for me." You replied quietly while tracing the leather on your hand. After a good amount of time in silence once more, you timidly gazed up at Vergil. His eyes were trained on the painting. You couldn't tell what he was thinking. "When we fought⊠You had asked me what power was, if not to protect. That strength and satisfaction was something measured." You mused, choosing your words carefully. You hadn't thought of it, but the reason he gave you a second chance was possibly because he saw something inside of you that had reminded him of himself. "If that's true then⊠Have you found something that makes you feel satisfied? Have you found something worth protecting?" You asked, trying to find any way to connect to him in this moment. Wanting to know what had changed his view of the world. Wondering if it could change yours too. He breathed in deeply. "I suppose I have." He admitted while gazing down at you. You fidgeted with your fingers, wanting to ask what. "Most of all though, I just think I've matured." He added while returning his gaze to the painting. You took a step closer and placed a hand on his back. "I think your parents would've been proud of you, if they could see you now." You said. He opened his mouth to reply before closing it as his face turned grief stricken, unsure of how to respond. "I know that I'm glad I met you. I think if I hadn't, I would've still been the same person I was when we met. Unaware and unhappy, without the knowledge of how to change for the better⊠Dante doesn't say it much but⊠I know he likes having you around as his brother⊠Even Nero..." He seemed pained by the last name. You knew he felt guilt for everything between him and Dante, but learning he failed Nero after coming out of his power hungry phase hurt most. Vergil shrugged your hand off his back with a grimace. "We cannot change the past." Vergil coldly replied, starting to return to his old ways of blocking others out. You raised your leather bound hand to your chest, both to feel your heartbeat and keep the ornament close. "YeahâŠ" You admitted softly, the events of yesterday still weighing heavily on your shoulders. Vergil sensed the dip in your tone. "We should leave." He said, satisfied now after showing you his old home. "Would you go on ahead, I'd like a moment alone." You almost whispered. The way you kept your head down to avoid Vergil's gaze bothered him but he agreed. "Alright⊠I'll be waiting not too far." He replied before leaving you on your own. Once you were sure he was gone, you turned your eyes up to the painting. Honoring the dead was part of your inherited traditions, this was no different. As an offering, you took off the pendant that lined your neck and placed it on the mantel. Fireplaces are a symbol of warmth, survival, protection from outside dangers, and family. You knelt down, even in the snow, to pay your respects to the two parents who had brought such wonderful people into the world. You told them of how much their sons missed them, of their sons glory, and of how much you wished you could have met them. After you were done doing so, you carefully hid well placed hexes to protect this place from the weather, and any other dangers it may face. You thanked the building for still remaining, even through the hardships it had endured. After everything was said and done, you gave one final look over your shoulder before joining Vergil. He didn't ask you any questions. You were still doleful, but you appreciated Vergil taking you to his former home despite how vulnerable it must have made him feel. Somehow a small part of you felt better. You felt closer to Vergil too, even though he was still the stern faced man he always was. Absentmindedly you raised your leather bound hand to your heart as you two walked in the snow. Vergil wasn't quite ready to return to Devil May Cry yet so the two of you walked around the city until you found an open coffee shop. The warmth felt fantastic, but you knew your clothes would remain soaked for hours. You internally thanked your parents for being demons since it gave you some resistance to the cold. You ordered for the both of you before finding a seat at a table. The shop was mostly empty. You weren't sure if you should speak or not, but you knew Vergil wouldn't appreciate small talk. You became bashful when you realized he was staring at you. "UhmâŠ" You tried to think of anything to fill the void between you two. "I was⊠thinking of buying or renting a house." You said while scratching your cheek. Vergil seemed surprised. "I feel bad⊠Dante doesn't have much space at Devil May Cry. Plus⊠It'd be nice to have my own space." Vergil nodded in agreement with your statement. "Perhaps you would allow me to join you?" He questioned. Internally you paused, seeming somewhat more embarrassed now. "I⊠If you'd like to, I wouldn't mind." You admitted. "Rent would be cheaper that way and percuring a place to stay would be easier with two names on a lease." Vergil said matter-of-factly. You were slightly disappointed with his answer, wishing he desired your company more than mere convenience. "We should start looking now then." You mused. Time went by rather fast after that and the two of you returned to Devil May Cry. Dante wasn't in his usual spot and thinking back on it, you hadn't seen him this morning. You made your way to the bathroom and took a shower. Never before had one felt so good. Afterwards you wandered down to the kitchen. Having a task would keep you distracted from the grief that was still haunting you. Ever since you and Vergil had started living here, the kitchen was stocked with more food than just phone ordered pizza. You were thankful you had all the ingredients to make a cake and a fruit glazing to go with it. You were stirring the glazing in a pot on the stovetop when Vergil came up behind you and reached over your shoulder to turn the heat down with a 'tch'. He had just showered, you could tell by the way he smelled of fresh citrus. The sudden closeness made you tense up slightly and blush. "You have the heat too high." He repermind you. "W-well I don't know how to use your stupid human appliances!" You said defensively. Vergil found your childish rebuttal amusing as he crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. "So, what are you making?" He questioned. "Something for people who aren't named Vergil." You replied, still keeping up with your petty ways. He chuckled. "I should probably have my name changed then since it smells so good." He commented. You ignored his somewhat teasing response and excitedly smiled. "Does it really!?!" You asked and he nodded. "Well good! It's something special, my trainerâŠ" You trailed off. Your thoughts always returned home⊠"Your trainer?" Vergil asked in a tone unfitting of his usual demeanor. It was softer. "My trainer⊠She was what we called a drifter. Someone who has no home and travels between realms. She had a mark like mine⊠She never hid it though. She was brave, and wore it with pride. No matter who challenged her! She'd always come out on top!" You added some oomph to the last part, feeling nostalgic in a good and bad way remembering her. Vergil chuckled softly when he saw how your eyes sparkled remembering how valient this person was. "Sounds like she'd make a good challenge." Vergil mused and you scoffed. "Yeah right! She'd have you on the ground in ten seconds flat!" He seemed bothered by the notion that someone could so easily defeat him. "Besides⊠I don't know where she went⊠She was just a hired mercenary after all." You added in a somber tone. "She's probably been everywhere now⊠My parents were harsh on me growing up." You admitted, feeling it would be right to share some of your past after he had so openly shared some of his with you. "My mother only taught me what she thought was needed and my father was so self absorbed, he never came out of his studies unless it was to put me down in a sparring match. I always wanted so desperately to make them proud but⊠No matter how hard I tried it was never enough." You were on the verge of crying now and Vergil didn't know how to comfort you. You let out a somewhat bitter laugh before smiling. "ButâŠ. Dee⊠She was like the older sister I always wanted. She told me of her travels and taught me everything. Even things my mother would get mad at her for and scream about how they were pointless for an heir of a family to know." You explained. "Thinking back on it, she was the one who inspired me to leave my realm with all her extravagant stories." You admitted with a small smile. "Would you say your experiences have been on par with what she told you of?" Vergil asked curiously. You stopped stirring the glaze to ponder your answer. "YeahâŠ" You replied truthfully while bringing your hand once more to your chest. "Yeah." You repeated in a more self assured tone. You didn't know, nor would he tell you. But he took note of every time you brought your hand up to your heart. Somewhere in himself, it made him feel reassured that he had comforted you well. It made him feel good in an indescribable way and was something he was growing fond of. Both that treasured feeling and you.
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